Sunday, September 25, 2011

My partner Paradise Monroe has recently released a line from her Fall collection of jewelry and she just happened to have picked SPHINX! Inspired by the globally respected Egyptian culture it displays the bold and dominate metallic's and the bright and loud tropical shades. The pairings really work well with the hints of earth tone colors. The combinations will make anyone stare, whether its expressed through articles of clothing, makeup, or hair you will surely gain recognition by tapping into this culture.

Paradise Monroe and I preparing for our Fall shoot!

Egyptians are said to have been the first group to use and perfect cosmetics! They used many different concoctions as beauty aids. They used crocodile excrement in mud baths believing that it would firm and tone the skin. Milk and honey was also used, it was believed to make the skin silky smooth. Facial masques, made from ant eggs and face paints, were sometimes used to unclog pores and even out the overall skin tone. Mixtures of chalk and oil were used as a cleansing cream to remove their traditionally heavy makeup.

They were also believed to have been the first group to wear and use extensions/wigs! Both men and women used wigs, hair extensions, and hairpieces, as thick long hair was highly valued. Some wigs were made of human hair, while others were a combination of human hair, horsehair, palm leaves, straw, sheep’s wool and/or vegetable fibers.

Extensions have been around along time folks!
Egyptians wore make up that many would consider elaborate or too much, but they wore the make up with purpose. The Egyptians are well known for their opulent eye makeup, which was applied from the eyebrow to the base of the nose. What many do not know, however, is that the eye makeup also served a practical purpose; the ingredients of the makeup had antibacterial qualities and helped to deter flies. Additionally, the colors were applied to serve as a protection against the hot sun.

The most popular makeup colors at the time were green, black, and indigo blue. Blacks were made from kohl, which is composed principally of a sulfide of lead called galena, and was sometimes deepened further in color by using soot. Greens were made from what is now known as the gemstone malachite, an oxide of copper, while blues were made from the gemstone called lapis lazuli. Everything was ground and then mixed with a gum or water to make a paste that was easy to apply with tools made out of wood, bronze, obsidian, or glass.

Eye makeup, however, wasn’t all the Egyptians used. Many women lightened the color of their skin or covered flaws with face powders made from chalk or white lead. They also rouged their cheeks and lips with red ochres and iron oxides. Many tinted their nails with sheep fat and blood or henna.

Henna is very popular amongst the middle east and used for various reasons. The Egyptians used it as a form of riches and beauty.

Many people tap into different present and past cultures to create their own sense of style today! As we all know who Cleopatra was and how she wore her hair... well there are a few celebs who have adopted her look and made it current!

She was known for the black hair with the blunt bang and hard lines perpendicular to the bang framing her face!

Here is the lovely Nicki Minaj sporting her "Cleopatra" look! Now we all know Nicki screams when it comes to self expression so she made the style her own. She added length and a little texture to the fringe (bang) and she deposited color to the ends with a stacking method.

I like this look! She kept the traditional black but opted for an unbalance of the fringe area. Daring yet different. I am a FAN!

They tend to use heavy black eyeliner in a v shape giving off a feline shape and the black creates depth and mystery to the Orbital area.

Beauty101 displayed this look claiming that the Egyptians created this shape to protect them from the evil spirits and called on their psychic powers.

Belly Dancing Diva created this look using the earth tones and a hint of metallic silver! I love this look it is so precise.

Here a few of my favorites that give me an Egyptian feel. When I am exploring different looks in time I like to place myself there mentally. It makes for such a fulfilling read.

There is more to beauty than what we know now. Take the time to research groups and cultures and get in touch with the revolving door beauty and fashion face. You may find a group and start a reoccurring trend of your own!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

They all say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I am one to believe that ALL women are beautiful, due to the fact that looks are not the sole factor.

Our society has corrupted the true meaning of beauty. Women are spending large amounts of money, and taking life threatening risks to achieve what has been promoted as Beauty. Prior to the breast augmentations, Brazilian butt lifts, nose jobs, liposuction's, etc, Beauty did exist. There was an era of women who exuded sex, beauty, and class at the same time. As age came along they embraced it and showed the beauty of life and being a woman.

Not only are these procedures expensive they are also dangerous.

I want to take them time out to remind you all of the beauty that has gone forgotten. These women showcased beauty that did NOT have a price tag. They enjoyed being a woman and all of its entities. They displayed teasing actions from certain pictures and shows but always demanded respect. During this time the Woman was appreciated and valued in the family and society for the roles she played. She was pampered and enjoyed doing her womanly duties. Families were more intact and young girls generally had their fathers in their lives growing up to instill their importance. Yes times have changed and there are total different values displayed and implemented in our homes. Not to mention how women are displayed in the media and entertainment world.

I personally would NOT want to look like any of these women. They are beautiful but are leaving nothing to the imagination and how much did it cost to represent this facade of Beauty.

I am not here to lecture you on how off balanced our society is. I am sure we can all agree collectively things are a lot different now. Instead I am going to take this article and dedicate it to remembering and paying homage to the Classic Beauties that made a name for themselves with hopes of gaining a new perspective on old fashioned ways.

We always have my FAVORITE....the beautiful Marilyn Monroe

“I don't mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual. Beauty and femininity are ageless and can't be contrived, and glamour, although the manufacturers won't like this, cannot be manufactured. Not real glamour; it's based on femininity.” ― Marilyn Monroe

The Beautiful Audrey Hepburn

“There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don't need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain.” ― Audrey Hepburn

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” -Audrey Hepburn

Josephine Baker sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. Famous for barely-there dresses and no-holds-barred dance routines, her exotic beauty generated nicknames "Black Venus," "Black Pearl" and "Creole Goddess." Admirers bestowed a plethora of gifts, including diamonds and cars, and she received approximately 1,500 marriage proposals. She maintained energetic performances and a celebrity status for 50 years until her death in 1975. Unfortunately, racism prevented her talents from being wholly accepted in the United States until 1973. http://cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography.html

The woman that stole Frank Sinatra's heart.... Ava Gardner

The Italian Beauty Sophia Loren

“If you can learn to use your mind as well as your powder puff, you will become more truly beautiful.”- Sophia Loren

All of these women are beautiful and represent Women. Do your research on them because I am confident that even with today and age you can find one you relate too. Life id guaranteed to do one thing, and that is to continue and repeat itself. Find one that strikes your interest and find out what she represents and how she portrayed her beauty as a woman. Femininity has been lost and it's our duty to educate ourselves and grasp the respected that we deserve.

Monday, September 12, 2011

I think it is extremely important to understand how to complete a look. Fashion,Beauty, and Style is something we all posses we just need to understand how to complete it! I view the beauty/fashion world as a broad field filled with opportunity to showcase personality, and self expression through art form.

I am not here to tell you all the Do's and Dont's... I will save that for another Blog. Instead I am going to give you my perspective on how to Complete your look... Every detail matters and should NOT go unnoticed.

I love to have a statement piece in my outfit.... whether its the shoes, an article of clothing, a piece of jewelry, etc. Something must standout and represent me, I call that the statement piece! I am also a fan of matching my nail color choice with my lipstick... I think it is so feminine and a subtle detail that when noticed speaks volumes.

Find a fragrance you like to wear and stick to it for a while I like to change up with season...Every woman should smell good and the fact that there are Thousands of different perfumes to chose from I am sure you can find one to represent you.

Being that I am a Stylist and a MUA (Make Up Artist) I pay close attention to this aspect. Less is best at times and make sure you understand you color wheel... What colors compliment each other and what colors clash. The primary colors are RED, YELLOW, BLUE. These colors are are complementary when paired with the secondary colors... For Example:

RED+GREEN

ORANGE+BLUE

YELLOW+VIOLET

If you understand this concept it will help you when pairing colors for your hair, wardrobe, and make up!

I am going to start posting looks every now then that are completed!... Make sure you check out JasmineNikol's Fashion Editor!!!... Paradise Monroe!...http://paradismonroeofjasminenikole.blogspot.com/

Here is my look for a night on the town, and your not quite sure where he is taking you or where you and your girls may end up. Simple yet chic, with the statement piece being the color blocked skirt. I topped it off with a fish tail braid ponytail. The lip and nail color choice happen to be my favorite... PINK... So girly and fun and fits well with this look. A platform heel by J.Campbell can never steer you wrong. Hope you guys enjoy, try to mock it if you like it and post pics! I would love to see your versions of this look!